And then last week, Ocean released Endless it was an unexpected visual album, but it wasn’t the album. Fans who had marked their calendars saw that Friday come and go, with not so much as a tweet from Ocean (Not least of all because he doesn’t have a Twitter account).
Then, at the start of this month, The New York Times confirmed that the album’s release date was definitely August 5th. There were rumors of an album called Boys Don’t Cry, which was supposed to be released more than a year ago, but never came. Save for a guest spot on Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo and a few Tumblr essays, the R&B singer has remained silent and reclusive, while fans wondered how he was spending his time. It deserves all of the praise it’s receiving.In the four years since Channel Orange was released, Frank Ocean’s greatest weapon has been ambiguity. There’s a lot to love on Blonde and I’m grateful Frank Ocean took his time to put it out. So, why is Blonde so good? There are so many moments that demand your attention, like that chorus on “Pink + White” or the chilling harmonies that conclude “Self Control.” Or the personal glimpse on “Good Guy.” Or Andre 3000’s verse on “Solo (Reprise).” Or the opening of “Godspeed,” which took me back to the power ballads of 1980’s, but also to a gospel chorus, it that is at all possible. That it features Beyonce’s backing vocals without Beyonce obviously stealing the spotlight speaks to the uncompromising stance Ocean takes with his music. A more traditional R&B jam, it again showcases Ocean’s ability to write for the masses while not selling out. The song takes a dark turn at the end, staying true to its themes.įollowing “Ivy” is “Pink + White,” which has stuck in my head for 137 consecutive hours it even invades my dreams. “Ivy” tracks a romance that has run its course but has also left its mark. And rather than being strategically cloying like what you’d see from someone like Drake, Ocean’s genuineness informs his POV. It’s a straightforward presentation that is bolstered by Ocean’s ability to write songs that evoke feelings. Ocean’s sweet, smooth vocals are accompanied by guitar and bass. That wide range means that most anyone can find someone they will like on Blonde, even if that person isn’t current on R&B’s current trends. Ocean has a number of influences, ranging from modern hip hop to the bubble-gum pop of the 1960’s to classic rock.
However, without the music much of this story becomes less interesting. That he came out as not-straight also added to his appeal and aura.
Of course, that silence made the Internet hungrier for new content and, in general, more information about Ocean himself. A few mixtapes and a stellar debut album then led to a few years of relative silence. And to be frank (ha!), I’m not one to enter into the cultural hivemind, but this album is too good to ignore.įrank Ocean is an R&B singer who’s been around for several years, first coming to the foreground with Odd Future. Appreciating his earlier work but not totally in love with it, I was skeptical of the actual merits of Mr. I had peripherally been made aware of Frank Ocean’s impending release and all of the buzz surrounding it. Fire Note Says: Frank Ocean fans are awaited for their patience.Īlbum Review: It’s easy to automatically reject that which the Internet deems as being worthy of our time and attention.
0 kommentar(er)
